title: Membrane stimulation and intracellular killing by monocytes.
abstract: The present paper reviews our recent studies concerning the intracellular killing of bacteria by human monocytes and compares the results with those found for circulating granulocytes. The findings show that optimal intracellular killing of catalase-positive and catalase-negative bacteria is only reached during interaction of the Fc part of IgG and complement component C3b with their specific receptors in the membrane of the phagocytes. Similar stimulation was found during interaction of plant lectins and their specific sugar moieties in the cell membrane. The studies permit the general conclusion that optimal intracellular killing of micro-organisms requires membrane stimulation, which occurs after triggering of certain receptors.
mesh_terms: D001770:Blood Bactericidal Activity; D003179:Complement C3b / Q000378:metabolism; D013293:Enterococcus faecalis / Q000201:enzymology; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000201:enzymology; D006098:Granulocytes / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D009000:Monocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D010586:Phagocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D011951:Receptors, Complement; D011961:Receptors, Fc; D011975:Receptors, Mitogen; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000201:enzymology; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000201:enzymology; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000201:enzymology
chemical_list: D011951:Receptors, Complement; D011961:Receptors, Fc; D011975:Receptors, Mitogen; D003179:Complement C3b